The Ministry of Tourism in India has planned to develop tourism circuits focused on religious themes during the 12th Five Year Plan period. These circuits will be developed around Buddhism, Hinduism, Sufism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Christianity. The Buddhist circuit will mainly cover major destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The Ministry has appointed a consultant to identify circuits across India to develop during the 12th plan period. The objective is to identify six national circuits for religious tourism targeting domestic and international visitors.

1. 12th year plan of India
related with tourism

2. The Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India has planned to develop tourism circuits on
religious themes during the 12th Five Year Plan period. This would be done in an integrated manner
with financial assistance from the Centre and appropriate involvement of state governments and the
private sector.
The themes for identified circuits are based on Buddhism, Hinduism, Sufism, Jainism, Sikhism and
Christianity, as per a report by Binay Singh in The Times of India.
The tourism circuit based on Buddhism would mainly cover major Buddhist destinations in Uttar Pradesh
(UP) and Bihar. The local office of UP Tourism has started homework for the project. Ravindra Mishra,
Regional Tourism Officer, said,“We have sent proposals prepared by different agencies to the
headquarters.”
Notably, the IL&FS Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (IL&FS IDC), appointed as the
National-Level Consultant (NLC) by MoT submitted its report to the Ministry on Spiritual Tourism
(Buddhism) Phase-I in March 2012.
Now, it's in the process of identifying tourism circuits across all the states and Union Territories (except
North East) that are proposed to be developed during the 12th Five Year Plan period.

3. The study started with an objective of identifying and developing six national circuits,
targeting national and international tourists. The circuits have been prioritised after
consultations with the stakeholders and keeping religious themes, popularity and
perceived need for improvements/investments to basic and tourism infrastructure in
view. The identified circuits are Buddhist, Hindu, Sufi, Jain, Sikh and Christianity.
The report submitted to MoT discusses, in depth, the infrastructure needs of the
Buddhist Circuit. In order to understand existing capacity of the circuits and destinations
within, a detailed report carrying capacity assessment has been prepared. A detailed
infrastructure assessment of the Buddhist Circuit has also been undertaken. The
objective of the assessment is to understand the significance of the sites from a
national/international tourist perspective and to map the availability of basic and tourism
related-infrastructure. Typical infrastructure being demanded includes facilities at entry-
exit points, accommodation, way-side amenities, physical and social infrastructure and
public utilities as well as health and security.
According to the report, while UP has various religious as well as other destinations
popular for their architecture, Bihar has an asset of key Buddhist destinations, which are
of great potential. According to tourist estimates (2008), out of the total tourist numbers
in Bihar, destinations coming under Buddhist Circuit of Bihar comprise 94 per cent of
domestic and 98 per cent foreign tourists.

4. National Tourism Policy
In order to develop tourism in India in a systematic manner, position it as a major
engine of economic growth and to harness its direct and multiplier effects for
employment and poverty eradication in an environmentally sustainable manner, the
National Tourism Policy was formulated in the year 2002. Broadly, the “Policy”
attempts to:-
Position tourism as a major engine of economic growth;
Harness the direct and multiplier effects of tourism for employment generation,
economic development and providing impetus to rural tourism;
Focus on domestic tourism as a major driver of tourism growth.
Position India as a global brand to take advantage of the burgeoning global travel
trade and the vast untapped potential of India as a destination;
Acknowledges the critical role of private sector with government working as a pro-
active facilitator and catalyst;
Create and develop integrated tourism circuits based on India’s unique civilization,
heritage, and culture in partnership with States, private sector and other agencies;
and
Ensure that the tourist to India gets physically invigorated, mentally rejuvenated,
culturally enriched, spiritually elevated and “feel India from within”.

5. Scheme for Product/Infrastructure and Destination Development :
The focus under this scheme is on improving the existing products and developing new
tourism products to world class standards. For infrastructure and product development,
the Ministry of Tourism has been providing Central Financial Assistance to the State
Governments during the 9th Five Year Plan which resulted in strengthening of the
infrastructure and product development in the country. The scheme has been
restructured during the 10th Five Year Plan to meet the present day infrastructure
requirements. The past experience had been that a large number of small projects had
been funded under the Scheme, spreading the resources very thinly, which at times had
not created the desired impact. The focus in the Tenth Plan has been to fund large
projects of infrastructure or product development in an integrated manner.
Under the revised scheme, the destinations are carefully selected based on the tourism
potential. Master planning of these destinations is undertaken so as to develop them in
an integrated holistic manner. The master plan is suppose to tie up all backward and
forward linkages, including environmental considerations. Realizing the importance of
destination development, the total outlay for this sector has been increased substantially.
Important tourist destinations in each State, in consultation with the State Governments,
are taken up for development. This include activities ranging from preparation of master
plans to implementation of the master plans. The destinations are selected in
consultation with the State/UT Governments.

6. Scheme for Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits :
Under this Central Financial Assistance scheme the Ministry of Tourism Government
of India has been extending assistance to States for development of tourism
infrastructure. Experience has shown that in the past funds under the CFA have been
used to fund a large number of small isolated projects, spread throughout the length
and breadth of the country resulting in the resources being spread very thinly.
Therefore, in order to provide quick and substantial impact, during the 10th Five Year
Plan, this new scheme of Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits have been taken
up.
The objective of the scheme is to identify tourist circuits in the country on an annual
basis, and develop them to international standards. The aim is to provide all
infrastructure facilities required by the tourists within these circuits. The Ministry of
Tourism aim at convergence of resources and expertise through coordinated action
with States/UTs and private sector.

7. Scheme of Assistance for Large Revenue Generating
Projects
It is recognized that the development of tourism infrastructure projects requires
very large investment that may not be possible out of the budgetary resources of
the Government of India alone. In order to remove these shortcomings and to
bring in private sector, corporate and institutional resources as well as techno-
managerial efficiencies, it is proposed to promote large revenue generating
projects for development of tourism infrastructure in public private partnerships
and in partnerships with other Government / Semi-Government agencies.
Large revenue generating project, which can be admissible for assistance under
this scheme, should be a project, which is also a tourist attraction, or used by
tourists and generates revenue through a levy of fee or user charges on the
visitors. Projects like Tourist trains, Cruise vessels, Cruise Terminals, Convention
Centres, Golf Courses etc. would qualify for assistance. However, this is only an
illustrative list.
Hotel & Restaurant component will not be eligible for assistance under the
scheme either on a stand-alone basis or as an integral part of some other
project. Besides hotel & restaurants, procurement of vehicles and sports facilities
like stadiums will also not be eligible for assistance under the scheme.

8. Scheme for Support to Public Private Partnerships in Infrastructure (Viability
Gap Funding) :
Development of infrastructure require large investments that cannot be undertaken
out of public financing alone. Thus, in order to attract private capital as well as
techno-managerial efficiencies associated with it, the government is committed to
promoting Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in infrastructure development. This
scheme has been put into effect for providing financial support to bridge the
viability gap of infrastructure projects undertaken through Public Private
Partnerships.
Scheme for Market Development Assistance (MDA)
The Marketing Development Assistance Scheme (MDA), administered by the
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, provides financial support to approved
tourism service providers (i.e. hoteliers, travel agents, tour operators, tourist
transport operators etc., whose turnover include foreign exchange earnings also)
for undertaking the following tourism promotional activities abroad:
Sales-cum-study tour
Participation in fairs/exhibitions
Publicity through printed material

9. Recent Initiatives
During 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012) Ministry of Tourism propose to continue
supporting creation of world class infrastructure in the country so that existing
tourism products can be further improved and expanded to meet new market
requirements and enhance the competitiveness of India as a tourist destination.
In consultation with the State Governments and UTs the Ministry of Tourism have
identified several tourist circuits and destinations for integrated development. During
the current financial year the Ministry has sanctioned so far Rs.323.00 crore for
various projects throughout the country. This is an all time record and will facilitate
timely execution of projects during the working season.
Some of the important infrastructure projects which have been sanctioned in the
current financial year are:

10. Heritage Destinations/Circuits
•MOT has recently sanctioned Rs.8.00 crore for the project of illumination/lighting of monuments
in Rajasthan.
•The tourist facilities at Sanchi and adjoining tourist places in Madhya Pradesh are being
improved at a cost of Rs.4.64 crore. Tourist Facilitation Centre, Public Amenities, Parking and
Landscaping and Beautification of approach roads will be done.
•The project of Development of Mahanadi Central Heritage (Rs.3.94 crore) has been sanctioned.
In this project Jetties, River Bank, Nature Trail, picnic area, etc. will be developed at various
places along the river to enhance the experience of visitors to these destinations.
•An Indian Freedom Circuit on Mahatama’s Park in West Bengal is being developed at a cost of
Rs.2.27 crore.
•The project Bijapur-Bidar-Gulbarg Circuit sanctioned at a cost of Rs.6.40 crore.
•Art & Craft village at Goregaon film city has been sanctioned for an amount of Rs.3.86 crore.
•Revitalization of Gandhi Thidal and Craft Bazar, Puducherry sanctioned recently for an amount
of Rs.2.67 crore.
•The project of Development of Srirangam Tamilnadu (Rs.3.72 lakh) has been sanctioned.
•Development of Vallore fort area at a cost of Rs.0.89 crore.
•Sound & Talatal Ghar, Sivasagar in Assam (Rs.1.58 crore.) has been sanctioned.

11. Eco Tourism :
•A project of Eco tourism for development of Horsely Hill in Chittoor Distt. of
Andhra Pradesh has been sanctioned.
•The project of development of Satkosi in Orissa (Rs. 4.25 crore) has been
sanctioned in which Interpretation Centre, Landscaping, Elephant camps,
Trekking park, Watch Towers and parking facilities, etc. are proposed to be
developed.
•MOT has sanctioned a project for development of Eco tourism in Morni-Pinjore
Hills and Sultanpur National Park in Haryana for which Rs. 2.63 crore have been
sanctioned.
•The project of Integrated Development of Tribal Circuit with special focus on
Eco tourism in Spiti in Himachal Pradesh has been approved for Rs. 6.98 crore.
•Development of Wayanad in Kerala for an amount of Rs.2.01 crore.
•Development of Tourist Circuit (Western Assam Circuit) Dhubari-Mahamaya-
Barpeta-Hajo has been sanctioned for an amount of Rs.4.97 crore.
•Development of Mechuka Destination (Rs.4.41 crore in Arunachal Pradesh).
•Development of Tourist Destination at Khensa at a cost of Rs.4.58 crore in
Nagaland.
•Circuit - Udhyamandalam- Madumalai- Anaimalai, Tamil Nadu Rs.4.39 crore.

12. Projects for NE Region
•The INA Memorial Complex at Moirang in Manipur is being renovated and tourist
facilities are being developed (Rs.82 lakhs).
•Tourism infrastructure is being developed near Pakhai Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal
Pradesh (Rs. 5.00 crore)
•Gayaker Sinyi Lake at Itanagar is being developed at a cost of Rs.5.00 crore.
•Tourist infrastructure is being developed in Nathula-Memmencho-Kuppu tourist
circuit in Sikkim (Rs.4.54 crore)
•MOT has sanctioned a project for development of Tizu Kukha as Adventure
Destination in Nagaland (Rs.4.99 crore)
•Projects for Jammu & Kashmir
Beach and Sea Tourism
•MOT has sanctioned a project of Rs.5.00 crore for development and beautification of
Beach Promenade in Puducherry.
•Another project for development of walkway along the bank of river Arasalar and
Vanjiiar in Karaikal, Puducherry (Rs.4.78 crore)
•The project of Development of Marina bach in Tamilnadu has been sanctioned
(Rs.4.92 crore).

13. MOT has sanctioned a project for development of tourism infrastructure in Leh
(Rs.4.95 crore), Bungus Valley (Rs.2.31 crore), Kargil (Rs.4.84 crore), Poonch
(Rs.4.50 crore), various villages around Sonmarg (Rs.1.08 crore), development of
Gurez and Telail Valley (Rs.3.66 crore), Patnitop (Rs.2.83 crore), Dandi Pora (3.45
crore), Anantnag (Rs.2.1 crore), Shri Amarnath Yatra Marg (Rs.7.00 crore),
Bhaderwah (Rs. 4.12 crore), Kishtwar (Rs. 2.81 crore), Wullar Lake (Rs.2.06 crore)
and Rajouri (Rs.4.34 crore). Tourist Information Centre, Public amenities, approach
roads, shelters, signages , etc. will be developed in these projects so that tourists
who are visiting Jammu & Kashmir should have trouble free experience the beauty
and bounty of the region.

14. THANK YOU
PRESENTED BY JYOTI
CHANDANI